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r o Bushwalking C it Club newsletter Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 50 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 5 GENERAL MEETING June 2014 8 pm Wednesday 18 June 2014 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Photography tips session Club Committee Presenter: Helen McFadden 2 President’s prattle Helen McFadden from the Canberra Photographic Society will give us 2 Fungus spotters wanted some tips on photography. While the focus of her talk will be about how to 3 Walks Waffle compose an effective image, she will also talk about various options for 3 Membership matters camera gear including choice of camera and equipment such as a tripod 3 Training Trifles as well as some of the principles of camera operations such as focus and 3 Review: Walking in the exposure. To illustrate her talk, Helen will show images from the spectacu- Blue Breaks lar gorges of Karijini National Park in Western . 5 From the IT Archives The hall, 6 Mootik Walls and Tonalli Mountain, Easter, 2014 Hughes Baptist Church, 8 Four plus walking the 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Canberra Centennial Trail 10 The singing, dancing Also some leaders of walks in the current and next Square Rock trip month will be on hand with maps to answer your 11 Activity program questions and show you walk routes etc 11 Wednesday walks 15 Bulletin Board 16 Feeling literary? 16 Wednesday walks

Kermits Pool, Hancock Important dates Gorge, Western Australia 18 June Photo by Helen General meeting McFadden 25 June Submissions close for July it 23 July Committee meeting Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee President’s President: Linda Groom prattle [email protected] 6281 4917 Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg y the time you read this I will be happily walking Bthe Larapinta Trail with eight other Club members. [email protected] And while I am writing this, Janet Edstein is leading a 0402 118 359 Club walk in the Flinders Ranges. Longer walks such as these are a great way to get to know other members, Walks Secretary: Lorraine Tomlins to explore new country, and to make a substantial con- [email protected] tribution to your fitness program. (You think you don’t 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 have a fitness program? Yep, you do, it appears every month as the CBC Activity Program!) General Secretary: Gabrielle Wright The Club has a wonderful record in organising longer [email protected] trips. We have a number of leaders with great exper- 6281 2275 tise in more distant locations, such as Meg McKone (Macdonnell Ranges) and Rupert Barnett (Tasmania). Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards Too many leaders to mention have a great knowledge [email protected] of walks in New Zealand. Some of these walks are 6288 7863 or 0406 378 217 advertised in the activity program and some in the Bul- letin Board section that appears at the end of the activity Training and Safety Officer: John Evans program. It’s worth reading well ahead in the program, [email protected] to find suggestions for your next vacation.

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r o 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 Linda Groom C Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton President [email protected] 0488 071 203 Fungus spotters wanted hotographer Elisabeth Titulaer has contacted the Web Manager: David Briese PClub to seek help in locating Ghost Mushrooms. [email protected] She would like to photograph them for her collection 6286 3479 of fungi photographs. Elisabeth has some mobility problems but can get into fungus sites if the walk is, in Editor: Alison Milton our terms, a Short/Easy. [email protected] The accompanying photographs show what these fungi 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) look like by day and night. At night, if seen with the naked eye, they glow pale blue, but the camera captures Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas them as green. They can be found on rotten wood and on [email protected] trees. If you come across any, please contact Elisabeth 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 on [email protected] Social Secretary: Quentin Moran [email protected] 6288 9840 Publisher: Tim Wright [email protected] 6281 2275 All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to [email protected] Check in: [email protected] Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

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Page 2 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 g ro F e re o b ro r o C

Committee reports Review: Walking Walks Training in the Blue Breaks Waffle Trifles Presenter: Meg McKone ne of the many joys of bush- art of the satisfaction of bush- Owalking is contemplating and Pwalking is successfully over- discussing gear. We all like to learn coming the challenges met on a from one another or, alternatively/ trip. I was recently in a party led as well, debate endlessly the finer by Jenny and Rob Horsfield and as points of why the pack, sleeping we crossed Rendezvous Creek to bag, stove etc we have chosen is head west over the Mavis Ridge, infinitely better than that chosen by Rob said “Best pick up a bit of extra one of our fellow walkers. water in case we have a dry camp.” At 5 pm that night, as the light was To provide food for thought and fading and we set up camp in the more information to clarify or bush on the side of a hill, we ap- confound, our Training Officer and preciated acting on that advice. So others have scheduled a camping always check the leader’s expecta- equipment display on Saturday 6 September between 10 am and tions and carry sufficient water. noon. Experienced CBC members Another challenge was 2 hours of will demonstrate gear and equip- traversing 1 km of ‘pick-up sticks’. ment for overnight walks and These are areas of wind-blown Cliff Edge: Tonalli Walls answer questions. See the Activity eucalypt saplings, crisscrossed as Program for further information. in the child’s game. One needs to here are the Blue Breaks? be careful ducking and weaving WThis is an area west of the Our Social Secretary is also plan- under and over the timber, and Kowmung in the southern ning a gear themed General meet- especially when walking along the Blue Mountains. The area consists ing. More details will be available trees a metre above the ground. An of a series of cliff-edged plateaux, soon. overnight pack changes your centre isolated sandstone remnants of the of gravity. southern edge of the Blue Moun- g o r

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Lorraine Tomlins o C tains National Park. The area is Walks Secretary Coming out on Sunday Rob used bounded by the Wollondilly and his ‘drunken stagger’ (tracking Tonalli and Butchers Creek. from side to side) to pick up the best going. This is a useful technique to Meg first saw this area as a child Membership maintain the desired heading, but from Mount Solitary, and was also choose the easiest way through intrigued by it. The presentation matters the bush. We traversed several summarised her experience of recognisable sections of the old exploring this area over many vehicle track between the AAWT years – from 1974 to Easter 2014. Please ensure that you keep the and Little Creamy Flats (marked on She recommends autumn or spring Membership Secretary informed the 1st edition Rendezvous Creek as the best season for walking in of any changes to your email map). One very useful part was this area, especially for wildflower address. where the alignment descends from displays. New members: Tony Brown, Colin the 1300 to 1200 metre contour Main access points are from Yer- Carpenter, Lucy Lee, Brigette Nairn over 600 metres across the ground randerie or Kanangara Walls. The through pea regrowth. most spectacular ridge line does not

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r o Roger Edwards C The Club’s annual ‘Navigation have an official name—but on the Membership Secretary Refresher’ starts 5 August. It is emi- Gundungera Map, put out by the nently suitable for both beginning Rover crew of Sydney University, and practicing navigators – I know, it is called Vengeance Peninsula. I’ve done it twice. Meg feels it is one of the best areas to walk in the Blue Mountains. Cheers and happy feet. Meg first went there in 1974, on

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John Evans r

r o C a two day trip from Canberra. Training and Safety Officer The group of four started from Kanangara Walls, went out to and over the Axeheads, over Vengeance Peninsula, down to Green Wattle Creek, over Butchers Creek, the Kowmung and back to Kanangara.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 3 Review of general meeting talk During the 80s, 90s and 00s Meg black-eyed susan, grevilleas, and Area 4: Lacys Tableland – To led many expeditions to this area. woody pear fruit and flowers (related lookouts east, down Lacys Creek to the waratah with similar leaves). and west – over Vengeance Meg organised her presentation into The further east the group went, the geographical areas: Peninsula and up the Tonalli more the flora looked like the sand- River to Mount Colong stone flora from the Sydney region. 1. Lacys Tableland and east to Looking down Lacys Creek is a fine Tonalli Peak and overlooking On this visit the group camped for view of the surrounding cliffs, end- Burragorang two nights in what Meg calls the ing at the stored water. After a climb From Yerranderie, there are various amphitheatre at Kooloo Creek; it to the top of a ridge you can follow ways you can get up onto Lacys consists of surrounding cliffs, hid- it out to the cliff edge. There were Tableland, which is one of the main den by scribbly gums. The group waratahs all over the plateau. Meg areas of the Blue Breaks. An easy then took a day walk to Mount noted the different clusters of flow- way to get onto the range is to go up Hoggett and back around to Bur- ers in different areas. Last October through Tonalli Pass. Even though ragorang Peak. there were hundreds of spotted sun orchids; gompholobiums – pea there are cliffs, there is a very easy Near Mount Hoggett in the Lacys route through the cliff line. At the plants, which form an understory Creek area, some areas of blue gums and are very prolific; grevillea also top you can view Warragamba Dam (E. deanii) are being defoliated and the drowned Burragorang Val- are a ground cover plant. There and appear to be dying. The scrub were blues and purples and yellows, ley, to the south the , beneath the cliffs of the plateau Mount Colong—the highest peak in the whole area alive with the colour between Lacys and Reilly Creek is of spring. (Last Easter too, bearded the southern Blue Mountains, then very thick. the head of Butchers Creek (the orchids, which Meg hadn’t seen start of the Tonalli Range), Tonalli A photo was shown of an old cairn before, and boronia floribunda, with Mountain, Burns Gap, the Axeheads that exists on Burragorang Peak. magnificent perfume.) and Bull Island peak. The Tonalli Meg explained that it is left from the At the western edge of Lacys there is Range makes up the southern side days when Burragorang Valley was a view across Tonalli, Mount Colong, of Lacys Tableland and follows the a going concern, and people could Mootik Plateau, Tonalli Mountain, watershed. make their way up there, before the and, closer to hand, Vengeance Penin- valley was flooded. The dam has sula, which looks surprisingly narrow Once on the plateau you need to protected this area and has made it find water. Meg has observed that end-on. At Green Wattle Creek and hard to access. Meg stated that she Bull Island Creek is a junction where since the 80s and 90s it has been has not seen other parties there. drying out. There is water at one of you can camp. the tributaries of Lacys Creek at a Area 3: Northern edge of Lacys Meg noted that blue gums grow waterfall, with some nice shallow Tableland – cliffs of Lacys straight and tall before sending out pools further back. Tableland to Bimlow Tableland branches. The images of blue gum The route to Tonalli Peak looks out and middle Green Wattle Creek forests looked spectacular. over Warragamba Dam. Aboriginal The western end of Lacys is rela- axe-grinding grooves can be found tively flat, but the further east you 5. Over Vengeance Peninsula and in the saddle on the ridge of Tonalli go, the more broken up and hilly the the Axeheads to Byrnes Gap Range. country. A lot of water would need In Meg’s view, this is the most excit- to be carried to explore there. ing part of walks here; no matter The year 2008 was the best for where you look there are fantastic flowers. The area had been burnt The route to Green Wattle Creek views. If it is misty though, you out less than two years previously. has become quite scrubby in the last can’t see anything! Fire had removed a lot of the scrub, 10–15 years of Meg’s walks there. which made the area easy to walk This area has spectacular cliff views To the north is Cloudmaker, the through and there were hundreds and flowers. There were photos Blue Mountains skyline around of waratahs. of heath flowers on sandstone; Katoomba and Lacys Tableland; to Egg and Bacon Ridge had yellow the west Kanangara Walls, fantastic 2. Northern Area: Lacys peas, pencil orchids, native iris and cliffs everywhere you look. Tableland – to Mount Hoggett and salvia. Meg reported on the scent of Burragorang Peak; Bob Higgins the pink boronia. There were also Bull Island Peak is very, very steep Creek; camp in Kooloo Creek lots of wildflowers on Vengeance to get up and has a very narrow tail. amphitheatre Peninsula. There is an easy route around Cliff-lined Bob Higgins Creek can On the other side of Green Wattle Vengeance Peninsula’s narrow be difficult to get into. It was when Creek is Shoobridge Mountain. It ridge, without having to do an camped here that two campers left takes a while to get there, you either exposed climb. their utensils and plates out one have to go for a few days or travel Meg fell here and rammed a stick night without washing them, and very light and go very fast. sugar gliders took their cutlery! in her thigh. She thought she had They had to fashion chopsticks Summer is too hot to walk here. pulled it out, but wondered why from sticks. it continued to be sore. What was left of the splinter – almost eight Meg showed many images of wild- centimetres - was extracted by an flowers observed here – clematis,

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Page 4 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 g ro F e re o b ro r o C

Review of general meeting talk

Sunset view looking north from Vengeance Peninsula, from Wild Dog Mountains to Lacys Tableland admonishing doctor one week later. She had developed cellulitis. Traversing beneath Of the rocky tops along the Axe- cliffs of the heads, some you can walk around, Axeheads some you have to sidle along. When you get to Gander Head and then drop down to Byrnes Gap, the road takes you back 7 km to Yerranderie, an old mining township. From the IT 6. Easter 2014 exploration: Mootik Walls, Tonalli Mountain Archives and Mount Colong. (see Meg’s Clarifying ITs beginning separate write up of this in detail) That the Clubs magazine’s name is Last Easter Meg’s trip gained new “IT” has its own story. The person perspective on this area. She had who edited the first issue, Alice worked out a route where the group Eccles, had written firmly across weren’t going far on any one day. Once on Tonalli Mountain there are the top of the first page of the issue beautiful ridges, narrow, open and when she sent it across to be typed with great views to the Axeheads, up ‘This Is ‘IT’’. She some time later, wrote to the Club and said that in her Yerranderie Peak, Mootik Walls and own mind she saw that this was the only and fitting name for the magazine Mount Colong. seeing that so much talk had taken place around its creation, to emphasise that it had been born. On the last day the group went up Mount Colong with day packs. Here Immediately there were objections. You can’t have a magazine called ‘IT’, was is basalt rock and the vegetation is one cry. Why not, was the other. It’s unique. “I thought IT was a ridiculous very different. There are ferns here name and always have,“ said one member many years later. The debate to find and there is a spring (Nevilles Soak), the best name went on during bushwalks and around camp fires. The committee it is there even in drought, only a thought the matter could be solved if Club members were asked to write out couple of hundred metres from the actual summit. Amongst the many what they thought the name of the magazine should be and their reasons for wildflowers shown, were scarlet choosing it. The wits of the Club immediately got together and their written greenhood orchids. There is a large responses were read out loudly by the President at the next meeting under a cairn on Mount Colong, marking it barrage of laughter, interruptions, heckling, and protests. as a once important trig point. Harry Black, who at the time, was an executive of the Y.M.C.A. Club had As Meg reviewed the photos show- argued and propounded that the name should have some reference to the ing many distant landmarks of this Aboriginal background to the land around Canberra and proposed Kangola area, she pondered aloud – is there – the camp of lively talk. As there had been sightings of a Yowie around the a way here, there… Canberra district and the word meant ‘Place of Echoes’ the name picked up Postscript: interest. Yeti was proposed and then Bunyip. As the Club sought out new bush areas why not ‘Near and Far’ as a name. If you like that why not Meg Joined the Club in 1973 and has ‘Coming and Going’ was the retort. ’Yabba’ meaning talk talk. With this been active on the committee and in leading many multi-day walks. Meg group ‘Yandiah’ to shout would be more appropriate. Other very funny but has walked in all Australian states/ completely inappropriate names were suggested until a quick decision was territories, as well as various parts of made to vote on the Aboriginal names by those still at the meeting. Kangola the world. She has acquired particu- won three votes, Yandiah 2, Yabba 1, and Yowie 11, with some members lar knowledge of the West MacDon- abstaining. An inconclusive result leaving the committee feeling that further nells and the Blue Mountains area debate was needed. It followed that the next Magazine was sent out under from her explorations there. the heading of ‘IT’ Ailsa Brown Doug Wright

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 5 Trip report Mootik Walls and Tonalli Mountain, Easter, 2014

Walkers: Meg McKone, Lorraine doesn’t matter where you cross it, we were saved only by a stagnant, Tomlins, David Williams, Linda it’s scrubby, and this time it was though drinkable, pool at a big bend, Groom, Peter Conroy, Jonathan dry too) and thrashed around in but this time the water was fresh the scrub until we found the old, and flowing. Miller, David Freeland, Kirsty overgrown trail up to Colong Gap. McPhail, Laurence Dickinson, By now it was a bit late to risk doing We were up at dawn and away by Ian Smith the 4 kms west along Mootik Walls 8:00 am, taking the obvious spur in case we couldn’t find a route off, from the river to the eastern end n the long drive to Yerranderie even with the aid of the rope kindly of Zucchetti Head. Only the last Olast October, the conversation carried by Jonathan, so we headed hundred metres to the base of the turned to a dimly-remembered Can- east for a view of Yerranderie Peak. cliffline were steep and scrubby, berra Bushies walk from the early Alas, the cliffs shown on the map and I was glad to leave some scrub- 80s when we found a way through promising a good vantage point bashing to Linda and some of the the cliffs on the north-west end of to view the peak existed only in fellas. Then there was more, though Mootik Walls, thirstily crossed the the cartographer’s imagination, so different, scrub around the base of dry headwaters of the Tonalli River, our view was half hidden by trees, the cliff until we found a break in scrub-bashed around the western though along the way we did get the cliff line at a gully. (Many bush- side of Mount Yuburra, then crossed good views of the tantalising narrow walkers must be connoisseurs of the gap near Chiddy Obelisk into neck and next day’s proposed route scrub. Do you prefer the dry, sharp Butchers Creek. It turned out that up onto Tonalli Mountain east of stick and debris-down-the-back-of- Henry, my companion in the car, Zucchetti Head. the-neck variety, or the thick wall had led it, and his recall of the trip of damp, ferny, slippery logs and was about as vague as mine. But Back at Colong Gap, we descended vines-that-catch-and-cling kind? No it got me thinking of combining to the road where we spent some doubt you can come up with more Mootik Walls with another interest time photographing a red-headed types. But I digress.) as yet unrealised: that of exploring mouse spider, a startlingly coloured Tonalli Mountain, the loosely W- arachnid about the size of a small Once on top, I was delighted at shaped ridgeline around the tops funnel web with a blue-black body the narrow, open nature of the of the two headwaters of Butchers and bright red head and fangs. It ridges, crowned from time to time Creek, and in particular, taking a seems that they are very poisonous with rocky outcrops similar to the close look at the long, narrow, cliff- but spend most of their time in their Axeheads, though not as rugged. lined neck joining the Kowmung extensive burrows and have only The best outcrop was the one Mountain–Mount Yuburra ridge rarely bitten humans. Soon the road marked ‘The Soap Box’ on the onto the rest of Tonalli Mountain. passed close to the Tonalli, where Gundungurra map, with fantastic However, when I looked at the we found a great place to camp in a 300° views, across the headwa- Bindook and Yerranderie maps, grassy clearing on a bank above the ters of Butchers Creek to misty finding a feasible route was not river. Last time I’d been here, most blue Mount Cloudmaker and the immediately obvious. There were of the river bed had been dry and Axeheads in the north, Yerranderie three main problems: lack of suita- ble campsites with water, especially in dry periods; scrubby valleys, View through Byrnes Gap to Burragorang Walls, from Coventry Head on sidles and possibly ridges; and ac- Tonalli Mountain. cess to the Tonalli Mountain massif, which is surrounded by cliffs. With lots of rain before Easter and a forecast of cool, clear days and moderate night temperatures, the weather for this trip was shaping up to be ideal. After camping at Batsh Camp where the Sydney and Canberra people met up, we continued along the road towards Yerranderie for another half hour, parking the cars at the Mount Armour Road junction, near Colong Station. After a kilometre along the road, we turned off on the northwest side of Square Rock, crossed the bottom end of Byrnes Swamp (it

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Page 6 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 g ro F e re o b ro r o C

Trip report the road in the opposite direction to check out the water situation in Colong Swamp. I didn’t like her chances, since I had only seen the swamp in a totally dry state for at least the past decade, but it was worth a try and she headed off with Peter and David F. Less than an hour later they were back with news of deep though brown pools topped with an oil slick a couple of kilometres further along the road and a lovely, grassy campsite. After a restful afternoon and a starry night, we could now climb Mount Lorraine on the Soap Box on Tonalli Mountain, backed by Yerranderie Peak Colong with day packs. The access (see more photos on CMW web site) to the easy eastern spur route was just the other side of the road from Peak in the east, and round to Mount distance. There was plenty of water our camp, and we reached the top Tonalli close at hand in the west. in the creek, plus leeches, unlike with plenty of time to look around To the south lay the long, low ridge several years previously during the after climbing to various heights of the Mootik Plateau, its cliffs drought when the creek bed was dry. on the huge summit cairn. Two a straight white line in the bright hundred metres down a shallow, sunshine, with the basalt cap of Day 3 was our scrubbiest. After warming up along the Scotts Main grassy valley was the beautiful Mount Colong looming over Tonalli campsite where Ray’s CMW party Gap. Dragging ourselves away from Range road for a little over a kilometre, we turned off at a cairn had stayed a few nights previously, this magnificent view, we continued and a short distance further down along the ridge where the perfume for Kowmung Mountain beneath which Peter performed his bull- the clear, cold water of the spring of crushed boronia plants presaged a emerged and disappeared again, magnificent floral display in spring. dozer impersonation as we sidled through scrub with, occasionally, dispelling the doubts of the sceptics. We dropped our packs on the ridge During the trip, I’d seen lots of south of Tonalli Mountain in an free passage beneath overhangs, to the unclimbable cliffs of Chiddy greenhood leaves but no flowers, effort to reach the eastern end of while here whole groves of these the narrow neck via an offshoot Obelisk. Here we had a break with a different angle on the narrow magnificent, fierce little orchids ridge. Although we ran out of time camouflaged themselves in the well above it, our view was clear neck and its gap, then it was back into another hour’s sidling beneath grass. We wandered out to the top enough to see the flat, almost bare of the scree slope above Colong sandstone top with a razor-sharp Mount Yuburra. The iPhone Oracle was taking us down the wrong spur Causeway for views across Morton edge dropping away to the gap, and Head and up the valley of the to ascertain that climbing to the top (beware of electronic technology!) into the scrubby headwaters of the Kowmung, then returned down our of the neck and even into the gap ascent spur where we spent lunch would be tricky, to say the least. Tonalli until Laurence redirected us to Kowmung Gap, where we had a admiring flocks of little honeyeaters After climbing over Tonalli Moun- late lunch. From here we embarked as they paused for a breather in the tain itself, we dropped steeply on our last major scrub bash and banksias on their migration from the down to the cliffline of Coventry although we soon found the old road mountains to the coast. Head where another magnificent beneath the eastern side of Mount Once on the road, it was barely view awaited us – past the rugged Marrup, it was so overgrown that 4 kms back to the cars, with plenty ramparts of the Axeheads, through the only benefit it provided was a of time to reflect on our route as we Burns Gap (did Ensign Baraillier route that we knew would hit the drove home. Once the problems of pass through there in 1802 in an road near the big bend to the east access and drought are overcome, attempt to cross the Blue Moun- below Tonalli Gap. the scenic ridges of Tonalli Moun- tains?), past the continuation of the tain are well worth another visit, Tonalli Range on Lacys Tableland, By now it was mid-afternoon and I was seriously worried that we preferably in the springtime with and all the way to the stored water of the advantage of longer daylight Warragamba Dam and Burragorang wouldn’t get up through the cliff line of the long northern spur to the hours, and perhaps with a foray up Walls, glowing in the afternoon sun. Butchers Creek to attempt an ascent We found a route down through campsite on Mount Colong before dark, yet it would be so disappoint- of the narrow neck. The western end the cliffs on the western side of of Mootik Walls could probably be the Head, then spent a long stretch ing to miss out on this beautiful summit with its permanent spring climbed via a gully on the northwest crossing several scrubby spurs until side behind the point. we reached the road which took us (Nevilles Soak on the Gundungurra directly to the Butchers Creek ford. map). Just as I was thinking that If only it could all be put together Here our rather large party split in the safest option would be to head with a minimum of scrub.

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3 kms down the road to our first C two, some camping by the road and Meg McKone the rest heading upstream a short night’s campsite on the Tonalli, Linda offered to continue along

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 7 Trip report Four plus walking the Canberra Centennial Trail

Leader Terence Uren with Virginia I climbed Mt Majura and had a very Buring, Phillip Starr and myself quick lunch. On this day we enjoyed the company of Gavin F, Mark H, and for all 7 days with others joining Barb V. By the end of the first day, we on other days. had walked a distance of 23.5 km with climbs totalling about 760 m. We took here are many walking trails 6 hours at 4.6 km per hour. We were Tthroughout Australia. Over my all pretty tired. bushwalking years I have walked On the fourth day just four of us, the Cradle Mt–Lake St Clair Track, The Second Day was much easier and Terence, Virginia, Phillip and myself Freycinet in Tasmania, part of the Hans Sally P joined us. We walked from walked from Hall to Black Mt, a mere Heysen Trail in SA, The Great Ocean the RAAF Memorial near the Hughie distance for us now hardened walkers, Track in Victoria, Green Gully, most Edwards Rest on the Federal Highway of 18.6 kms with small climbs totalling of the Great North Track and a wet to Forde. On this very pleasant and about 300 m. week walking the Australian Alpine untaxing day we traversed through Walking Track from Victoria to NSW, Mulligans Flat with its cat proof fences, Leaving Hall we walked for about two to name a few. and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve, hours along the road past Gold Creek having morning tea near the border Village, Cockington Green Gardens, So I was delighted to read in the April of NSW and the ACT. We also spent the Dinosaur Park, CSIRO Ginninderra CBC it that Terence had proposed time looking around the Mulligans Wetlands, under three underpasses and walking the 150 kms Canberra Cen- Woolshed. Today was only 13 km, eventually we reached the John Knight tennial Trail (CCT) over 7 days. This with about 300 m climb and home by Park, by . This park was a great opportunity for walking lunchtime. However like Day 1 it was is a gem, so attractive with imaginative parts of Canberra and reserves that I totally overcast. play equipment, BBQs, seating and hadn’t walked before: and the CCT plenty of large grassy spaces inter- proved to be a most attractive and a The third day’s walk was from Forde spersed with small gardens, and being very worthwhile walk. Continually to Hall. This stretch is thought to be the autumn, showing stunning red from along the way we were afforded great most attractive part of the whole Can- the claret Ash and orange and yellow views of Canberra from many different berra Centennial Trail. We shall see! foliage from the pin-oaks. We ate our viewpoints. We walked over bridges, Gavin F, Lucy L, Lorraine T, Ann V morning tea under a pergola draped along underpasses, climbed over styles, and Mike M joined us for the day. It with the dramatic red colouring of a wriggled through gates, passed through was a delightful sunny day and we saw Morning Glory vine. While the others many nature reserves; forests; grass- more birds with Mike M pointing out were most impressed with the John lands; saw inviting playgrounds and Superb Parrots. These birds are on the Knights Park today’s highlight for me walked alongside lakes and bike paths. endangered list. were the autumn colours. After leaving The autumn colours were stunning and We continued from Forde through Lake Ginninderra we passed Radford often a highlight for me. Each day we College and as we entered the bushland started walking at 8:30 am. pleasant pastoral land, following an escarpment, a fire-trail and walked for we were joined and quickly overtaken several hours amidst a shady Euca- by 80+ puffing Radford Year 9 students Walking over styles was a feature lyptus forest (E viminalis) originally doing a cross-country run. planted to provide firewood. We ate The Autumn colours were stunning our morning tea at the most pleasant North Border Campground. It looked very new with shiny deep red shelter sheds and toilets. We continued walking through lovely pastoral scenery, so green with all the recent rains, and after climbing steeply arrived at the summit of One Tree Hill. Here while eating lunch, we delighted in watching a pair of robins busily catching and devouring insects and two On our first day we walked from Scrive- eagles soaring near us. We gazed at the ners Camp near Parliament House to splendid views of Canberra from the Horse Gully Road just past Mt Majura. newer suburbs of Gunghalin just below Leaving Scriveners Camp we walked us, right through south to Mt Tennant. up one of the green verges to old Parliament House, past the rose garden, Rather dauntingly we could also see our over the Kings Avenue Bridge to Anzac next three day’s journeying—it did look Parade where I saw many touching a l..o..n..g way. wreaths left on ANZAC Day. Morning We continued and eventually reached tea, just behind the War Memorial was the village of Hall by 2.20 pm having a welcome stop. Views were great. walked 20.2 km at 4.7 km per hour with We climbed Mt Ainslie and continued climbs totalling about 300 m. We had along a fire-track at the back of Watson enjoyed another wonderful walking day to Mt Majura. Here Terence, Phil and with superb views. g o r F

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Trip report And maybe the real highlight for all of Gleneagles golf course and onwards to walked 25.3 km today at 4.4 km per us was having a superb coffee at the the . hour. AIS! From the AIS manicured grounds we walked through bush towards Black Again a marvellous day with great Mt and after a very quick lunch (we vistas and points of interest. thought John E would approve of our 13 minute lunch!) we ended our day’s Tomorrow we complete this most walk by 1.25 pm walking at 5 km per interesting walk. hour. Then I drove Phillip back to Hall The seventh Day was cloudy, cold to retrieve his car. at times and with blustery winds. Our Fifth Day was to walk from Edwina Y and Susan M joined us. We Firth Street near Black Mt to the Bush- left Charleston Street, Monash and fire Memorial in Stromlo Park. It was quickly walked towards the Fadden a sunny day and four of us thoroughly Pines area. Here we had a quick drink enjoyed climbing Black Mt, more great stop while eyeing the most intriguing vistas, walked along its Hat Band track playground equipment. Why weren’t and onto the reserve where Virginia After a brief drink stop we continued they around when we were kids! We was able to photograph a Wedgetail to the Red Rocks Lookout, one of the continued through to the Isaacs Ridge eagle soaring near us. We wandered best lunch spot so far (the other being past the Mugga Lane dump, saw along this lovely bushy path through on One Tree Hill) where the scenery numerous roos, and onto near Mugga the Aranda Frost Hollow and eventually was quite beautiful–blue skies, touches Mt where we stopped for lunch, now reached the Cork Forest in the National of autumn colour, tumbling river waters having walked nearly 15 km. Arboretum. Here our walking speed and the red cliffs gleaming in the sun. Ten more kms to go until we completed dropped considerably while we spent Then we continued walking towards the CCT! The four of us felt that our ages looking at the red spotted and the Tuggeranong township along the wonderful seven walking days were very poisonous toadstools (Amanita). river. We passed a 150 year old dry coming to an end. We crossed the Tuggeranong Parkway stone wall, built to divide the properties and followed the cycle track alongside of Lanyon and Yarralumla. From the Terence wisely chose to alter the CCT the until we reached original length of 1800 m there now route from walking in the Red Hill the new suburbs of Wright and Nuggett remains just 790 m. suburb to the park. So our final hill in Molonglo. was along and up the Red Hill Ridge to Davidsons Trig and onto the Red Hill restaurant, accompanied by very chilly blustery winds. From the top we had expansive viewpoints from the previ- ous days’ routes to seeing Parliament House, near our final destination. Here Terence offered us delicious melting moment biscuits. And so at 2.50 pm having walked 23.8 kms we reached the spot where we had originally started seven days ago at Scriveners Camp. I think we all felt pretty happy at having completed Amanita toadstools 140 kms over seven fine days with good company. Overall the Canberra Centennial Trail At 1.45 pm we reached the cars having is a most worthwhile and scenic walk walked 18.1 km at 4.7 km per hour The showing us many vistas and hidden day’s walking illustrated the diversity treasures of Canberra. A sincere thank of this trail and showed us more nature you to Terence for his good planning, reserves. Other than walking on hard arranging car parks and for leading us. pavement we continued to be apprecia- tive of the CCT Janet Edstein By now we had The 6th day was from Stromlo to just walked 21 km and past the Tuggeranong township and. becoming a bit tired. so by 8.30 am we left the touching and At last we reached very attractive 2003 Bushfire Memorial the Tuggeranong in Stromlo Park with Victoria W and township, walked Jack McC who joined us for today’s along the parks, Tug- walk. We walked along Eucumbene geranong College Drive to the Chapman Ridge and near and crossed the lake to Mt Arawang. While eating morning using the weir bridge. tea we gazed at the stunning view of I was intrigued to see the Brindabella Mountains. We could the paintings on the clearly see from Mt Tennant over to toilet block –one a Mt Tidbinbilla and Camels Hump. We blue lady and the left the Chapman/Arawang Hills and other a red Albert from there we continued striding out Einstein! We thank- in glorious sunny weather passing the fully reached the cars by 3.35 pm having

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 9 Trip report The singing, dancing Square Rock trip

hirteen of us joined Cynthia Burton Ton her walk to Square Rock. It was a beautiful Autumn day starting with a great view along William Hovell Drive in Belconnen of a low tree line fog across the valley to the Molonglo Gorge, juxtaposed by wonderful clouds and the full moon still in view. The trip required a car shuffle so while two cars were being relocated from the Smokers Gap car park to the Smokers Trail car park, Cynthia regaled us with a snippet of the satirical Gina Rheinhart song performed at Barry Keely’s recent birthday party. The dancing component comes later towards the end of this trip. Sadly, there was a lot of evidence of After a leisurely (early) lunch we However, I felt that walking back (recent) wild pigs, but there were also headed back the way we came before to the road added to the trip as after numerous fungi species, in which I have changing course onto the Smokers hours of wonderful forest scenery, we a particular interest. Trail. suddenly came to open country with wonderful views of the valley below Here we reach the dancing portion of us and fabulous views out to the distant the trip. mountains and beyond. An afternoon tea break revealed that I Only at the end of the walk did Cynthia had previously attended line dancing announce that despite being a Club classes so it was suggested that I member for about 17 years, this was lead off the group with a line dancing the first walk she had led. routine. Sadly, I was probably never very good at it anyway, and without Those who know Cynthia well know the accompanying music gave a very that she has had a work schedule poor performance, especially compared which prohibited her from making long with Cynthia’ earlier accomplishment. term commitments, but that she is an accomplished walker and today proved The recent permanent closure of the that she is also an accomplished leader Smokers Trail car park imposed an (capped off with a coffee stop at Lanyon unexpected added milage as we then Homestead). had to walk back out to the road. The map showed a straight track back to So thank you Cynthia for an absolutely Smokers Gap, which Cynthia said they wonderful walk.

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We detoured to the Orroral Lookout for morning tea before arriving at Square Rock for an early lunch. As we approached Square Rock the wind began to pick up but we were fortunate that the rocks provided great shelter from the wind. For those who don’t know, Square Rock is a formation of a cluster of rocks at the edge of a cliff face. A steel ladder allows visitors to climb to the top for wonderful views. Fortunately for us on this occasion, the rocks also provided shelter from the winds.

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Activity program Activity program Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Lorraine Tomlins (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496, Email: [email protected], Post: 17 Forbes Street, Turner

Information for participants Distance and difficulty Transport Distance: Costs are 37¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (S) Short - under 12 km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given (M) Medium - 12-20 km/day are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, (L) Long - over 20 km/day an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed. Duty of care Terrain: Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy - fire trail, tracks, beaches etc he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or (R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s (W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join (X) Exploratory trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub. 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day org walks) so the leader has time to arrange transport. Check with the leader about: Check-in after walks Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their XXthe need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or XXappropriate clothing, footwear X trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, Keith Thomas (check.in@ Xany precautions you might need to take for severe weather canberrabushwalkingclub.org, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave changes. message if no answer). The Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to (6248 0456 or 0434 078 496), not the Police or other bodies, should our Club. be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are latein returning.

Equipment hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- Due to space, walks scheduled more ment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can than three months in advance may appear be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside only on the Club’s web site. PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667. The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘first Wednesday walks time’ weekend walkers. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be conducted every Wednesday. Walks are refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon conducted in turn by leaders from the Canberra return and whether they are returned late. Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC) and National Parks Item w.e./week Association (ACT) (NPA). Details about Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 destination and meeting place are emailed to Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Snow tent $15 / $40 Contact Janet Edstein wednesday.walks@ 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 canberrabushwalkingclub.org to get your name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Assorted packs $5 / $15 contribution to these walks. Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 Walk details will be advised a few days before Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 the walk, via the Wednesday Walks email list. Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) Walkers who are not members of the BBC, NPA GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) or CBC must contact the walk leader before the walk to discuss the level of difficulty of the walk. Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need (Please note that walk leaders retain the right when collecting and returning gear. not to accept any walker.) Non-members must be accompanied by a sponsoring member.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 11 Activity program Saturday, 14 June: Black Mt and Aranda Saturday 21 June: Day trips in the Namadgi bushland – M/E #4 – Bushfold Flat – M/R Meet at 9.45 in the car park opposite 160 Dryandra Street, Apollo Road, Bushfold Flat via convenient spur, O’Connor. This walk traverses the Bruce Ridge then cross AAWT to Visitors Centre. Car shuttle needed. Maps: into the Black Mt Reserve. See details in May it. . Map: Williamsdale, . Leaders: Jenny and Rob n/a Leader: Stan Marks 62549568 [email protected]. Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$24 per car. au Transport: drive yourself but please book as usual; there may be someone from your area who needs a lift. Saturday, 21 June: An open, beautiful ridge – M/E–M Saturday 14 June: Yankee Hat Indigenous Walk from the Spring Creek car park in the Yannunbeyan sites, with a geocaching twist – M/E–M Nature Park along a series of ridges through open forest Stroll to the Yankee Hat rock art then via old fire trails to a delightful lunch spot with a similar return. Part on to the causeway SW up Bogong Creek. See details in and part off track, about 10 km, and five hours actual May it. Maps: Yaouk, Rendezvous Creek. Leader: John walking. Map: Captains Flat Leader: Stan Marks 6254 Evans, 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: 9568 (h), [email protected] Transport: ~$15. ~$12 per person. Further details at www.johnevans.id.au Limit: 12. Emergency contact details must be registered/ Sunday 22 June: Greys Point – S-M/R Drive via Marulan and Tallong. A walk to a spectacular provided to book. cliff top lookout above the Shoalhaven Gorge. There are (13) 14–15 June: Budawangs: Track scrubby sections along the way and scrambling across the maintenance gully of Bullangalong Creek. About 8 km and 400 m total The CBC is supporting NPWS with vegetation mainte- climbing. Map: Caoura Leader: Jeff Bennetts 62315899 nance on the walking track between Yurnga lookout and [email protected]. Transport: ~300 km return, Mt Bibbenluke and the southern end of Mt Tarn in the $111 per car, at least $28 per person. Limit: 12. Budawang Wilderness Area of Morton National Park. 21 June–11 July: Kimberleys – M/R/X/W See details June it. Contact: Cynthia Burton 0488 071 See details in May it. Maps: False Mt Cockburn, Mt. 203, [email protected] Transport: TBA Cockburn, Mt Erskine, Cooee Creek, Carlton Gorge, 14–15 June: Weekends in the southern all 1:50,000. Leaders: Peter Conroy & Linda Groom Namadgi #4 – Nursery Hill, Rendezvous 0468344381 [email protected]; the leaders are walk- Creek circuit – S/R ing the Larapinta in June so may be difficult to contact. Nursery Swamp, saddle north of Nursery Hill, latter as a Tuesday 24 June: Bullen Range South – L/M side trip, descend to camp by Rendezvous Creek, track From locked gate at entrance to Paddys River Travelling back via top end of Nursery Swamp. This would be Stock Reserve off Tidbinbilla Road ascend to Barnes Trig suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Maps: (825 m) then N along crest of Bullen Range on fire trails Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek. Leaders: Jenny and Rob for 10 km past Brett Trig (881 m) to large microwave Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$32 per car. tower 1 km N of Canberra Deep Space Tracking Station Tuesday 17 June: Yanununbeyan State before turning off track to return S along W flank of Range following contour where possible and convenient Conservation Area and National Park – wombat trails. Occasional views over Murrumbidgee L/M part X and Paddys River valleys from Range crest. Lunch on An exploratory trip, all off-track, in the woodlands and hillside overlooking Tracking Station. For off-track leg open forests of the Yanununbeyan State Conservation expect dense scrub in numerous small creek beds (usu- Area and National Park near Captains Flat. Starting ally dry) but fairly open elsewhere. Detour to locate and from Applebox Flat on Woolcara Lane (GR 129636), we inspect Calvery mud brick hut ruins at GR8223-7722 will spend the day walking the ridges and creeks to the (MGA94) on final climb to Barnes Trig before descent southeast. The scrub is generally light. This is a differ- to start. Estimated 22 km and 700 m total climb. Maps: ent route to the walk of 29/4/2014. Minimum distance: Tidbinbilla, Tuggeranong Leader: Eric Glass edglass@ 20 km with ~670 metres of ascent Map: Captains Flat gotalk.net.au Transport: $20 per car. Limit: 12. Leader: Ian Wright 62861473 [email protected]. au Transport: 108 km return Limit: 8 Wednesday 25 June: Wednesday Walk See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of Wednesday 18 June: Wednesday Walk the Activity program, for conditions on participating. See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the Leader: Barrie Ridgway 6287 3633, brdr001@bigpond. Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC net.au Contact: [email protected] Submissions close for July it Wednesday 18 June 2014, 8 pm 25 June 2014 MONTHLY MEETING Photography tips session 28–29 June: Two south coast hills – Durras Presenter: Helen McFadden Mt and Gulaga – M/M The hall: Hughes Baptist Church Escape the Canberra winter with a visit to two iconic peaks on the NSW South Coast. See details in May it. 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Maps: Kioloa, Central Tilba Leader: David Dedenczuk,

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Activity program 0417 222 154, [email protected] Transport: track. Casa Gosling is a largish house and most will get ~$45 per person, with four to a car beds but one or two may be in the lounge. We will have an ‘everyone bring something’ meal on Saturday night Sunday 29 June: Mt Palerang – M/M at the house. Maps: Mittagong, Hilltop, Bundanoon Palerang is a mountain near the Leader: Stan Marks 62549568 [email protected] south of the Kings Highway (the pointy one on the Transport: ~$40. right as you approach Braidwood). See details in May it. Map: Bombay. Leaders: Phillip Starr and Edwina 5–6 July: Weekends in the southern Yee. Bookings to Phillip, [email protected] Namadgi #5 – Gudgenby circuit – M/R Transport: ~160 km return, ~$60 per car, ~$15–$20 per Over Gudgenby to camp at the top end of the northern person. Limit: 12 saddle. Return via top of the Naas and the saddle south- east of Gudgenby. Map: Yaouk. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Tuesday 1st July: Kowen Pine Forest – L/E Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$40 per car. The walk starts near Queanbeyan on the Sparrow Hill Road (Old Kings Highway) and follows a meandering Wednesday 9 July: Wednesday Walk route in the eastern part of the plantation. We visit a few See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of small erosion control dams and related stone works along the Activity program, for conditions on participating. the way to Bald Hill, then return back to the cars on a Leader: Mike Morris [email protected] different route. This is a fast paced, mainly off-track walk, with little scrub, suited for cool winter days. Minimum Saturday 12 July: Mt Foxlow – M/E–M distance: 20 km with ~600 metres of ascent Map: From the car park just off Woolcara Lane at the entrance Bungendore Leader: Ian Wright 62861473 iwri5712@ to the Yanununbeyan Conservation Area, we will head bigpond.net.au Transport: 78 km return Limit: 8 off track until almost the top of Foxlow (lunch). Return initially along the fire trail then swing off track along a Wednesday 2 July: Wednesday Walk ridge through attractive light forest to end the day. Short See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the car shuffle, about 13 km, 600 m aggregate climb, 5½ hours Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC actual walking. Map: Captains Flat Leader: Stan Marks Contact: [email protected] 62549568 [email protected] Transport: ~$15 Saturday 5 July: Kowen Forest 3 trigs – L/E Saturday 12 July: Long-time walkabout – L/M Borrowing on Ian Wright’s earlier walk but only doing Something for everyone: southern Namadgi views; 3 trigs within the Pine Plantation of Kowen. Hoping to indigenous and European sites; border markers and blaze capture Cohen, Amungula and Atkinson Trigs as well as trees; up to 12 hours walking; night walking under a full see some of the interesting historical features that have moon to bay at. From the Yankee Hat car park, insert via previously been spotted such as the “falls-downs” and fire trail and footpad to the south-east Gudgenby saddle, Glen Burn Homestead. Distance about 20 km mostly then through some regrowth down to join the Sams Creek on fire trails. Maps: Canberra, Tuggeranong. Leader: Fire Trail. Easy walking down the Naas Creek valley to Phillip Starr and Barb Vaschina Please contact Barb Lutons crutching shed. Exit over the Naas Creek ford and on 0409634584 [email protected] Transport: north along the Old Boboyan Road. 26 km and 660 m ~$5 per person climb – led by Cynthia Coppock. From the fire trail junc- tion near Lutons, the walk can be extended around the Sunday 6 July: Majura–Ainslie traverse – M/E Grassy Creek and Bulls Flat Fire Trails. This makes the Meet at 9.00 am at the end of the houses in Antill Street, day 34 km and 820 m climb. The full walk is extended Hackett. Walk to the summit of Mount Majura, after to include the Grassy Creek Fire Trail to Waterhole Hut descending the summit we’ll climb up on and follow and return via Waterhole and Bulls Flat Fire Trails. A day a ridge between the two mountains. We’ll walk to the of 40 km and 950 m. An additional co-leader required if top of Mount Ainslie along a trail on the eastern side. a sub-group wants to do the 34 km circuit. Map: Yaouk. Following lunch on Mount Ainslie we’ll return to the Leaders: John Evans 0417 436 877 john@johnevans. cars along walking trails behind the houses in Ainslie id.au (bookings) and Cynthia Coppock. Transport: and Hackett. About 15 km of walking, all on track, with $15 per person. Further details at www.johnevans. 600 metres of climbing. Maps: Hall, Canberra Leader: id.au Emergency contact details must be registered/ Gerald Dodgson 0438 119 803(m), g.dodgson@hotmail. provided∼ to book. com Transport: Drive yourself but book as usual. Tell me if you require a lift. Wednesday 16 July: Wednesday Walk See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the (4), 5–6 July: Bundanoon weekend (Wombat Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Hill and Mt Jollore) (Saturday M/M, Sunday Contact: [email protected] M/E) We will stay at the home of club member Tom Gosling, Wednesday 16 July 2014, 8 pm now resident at Bundanoon. Drive down on Friday afternoon/evening. You need to be there by 9 pm but I MONTHLY MEETING will be arriving during the afternoon and those who want Inca Trail to Machu Pichu to can join me at the Bundanoon Hotel for dinner, starting Presenter: Rosemary McKenzie at 6.30 pm. The Saturday walk will be to the Wombat The hall: Hughes Baptist Church Hill lookout, from Meryla Pass, about 12 km and 5 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes hours walking with spectacular views. The Sunday walk will be Mt Jollore, about 8 km, 5 hours actual walking, mostly flattish except for the actual climb and mostly on

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 13 Activity program Wednesday 23 July: Wednesday Walk Saturday, 9 August: Border Walk, Mulligans See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the Flat to Hall – E/L-X Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA Park the cars next to the public toilets in the park off Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] Gladstone St, Hall. We will car shuffle to Mulligans Flat from where we will walk back to Hall along the Centenary Trail. The walk is about 20 km and has good COMMITTEE MEETING views. I have rated it X as I haven’t done it before but Wednesday 23 July 2014, 8 pm I am sure it won’t be hard. Map: Hall Leader: Stan at the home of Julie Anne Clegg Marks 62549568, [email protected] Transport: drive 49 Banambila Street, Aranda yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride. Tuesday 12 August: Navigation refresher #2 An evening Dead Reckoning exercise consolidating use Saturday 26 July: Day trips in the Namadgi of map and compass for conditions of poor to no visibility #5 – Tidbinbilla–Smokers Gap crossover at the home of Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. – M/R Meet on top of Billy Billy Rocks for lunch. Maps: Corin Wednesday 13 August: XC ski tour from Dam, Tidbinbilla. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield Guthega – M/M 6231 4535. Transport: ~$32 per car. Probably on to the Main Range (a 350 m climb) – route will depend on snow conditions. Will suit skiers of Saturday 26 July: XC ski tour towards Mt intermediate standard. Map: Mt Kosciuszko 1:50,000. Guthrie – M/M Leader: Peter Conroy 6281 4917. Transport: $152 From Guthega via a shelf of old forest on the west side per car. of Spencers Creek, then a 200 m climb to the rocky tops near Mt Guthrie ~ 13 km. Or another route depending Thursday 14 August: Beginners snowshoe – on snow conditions. Will suit skiers of intermediate Plains of Heaven – S/M standard. Map: Mt Kosciuszko 1:50,000. Leader: Linda Snowshoeing day trip suitable for beginners from Groom 6281 4917. Transport: $152 per car. Smiggin Holes across the Plains of Heaven towards Mt Sunrise. How far we get will depend on the enthusiasm Saturday, 26 July: Faunce Hill – M/E of the party and conditions on the day. Maps: Perisher Faunce Hill is on the eastern side of the Queanbeyan Valley, Geehi Dam Leader: Terence Uren Transport: River gorge on the northern end of . The $140/vehicle + park entry fee. An opportunity too good walk is a mixture of on and off track, starting at the end to miss – enquiries and bookings to training@canber- of Wanna Wanna Road (off Captain’s Flat Road) thence rabushwalkingclub.org.au Emergency contact details through open forest to the Hill and south to lunch on an must be registered/provided to book. open ridge before wandering back to the cars. Plenty of variety and good views. About 5½ hours walking. A mix- Saturday 16 August: Navigation Refresher #3 ture of on and off track. Map: Hoskinstown Leader: Stan A day on the hills west of Kambah following a route in Marks 62549568, [email protected] Transport: $10 relation to position fixing skills. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Wednesday 30 July: Wednesday Walk See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the (28) 29–31 August: Cloudmaker and 100 Man Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA Cave – L/M–R Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] Drive to Kanangra Walls Thursday night for a three day walk with time to appreciate the comforts of 100 Man Tuesday 5 August: Kybeyan Ridges and Cave where we will camp for two nights. See details in River – M/R/part X May it. Map: Kanangra. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 A circuit in the Kybeyan SCA, to explore the ridges 5902(h), [email protected] Transport: and river upstream of the April walk in this interesting $200 per car. Limit: 8. area. Start ~121E, 868N, then via saddle at 129 E 857N (Numeralla map), south then east down to a winding 30–31 August: Navigation Refresher #4 section of the which has, according to A weekend off-track in the southern Namadgi, navigating Google Earth, bluffs and sandy beaches at 142E, 845N with map and compass. See accompanying trip descrip- (Kybeyan map), return by a different ridge. 1 hour tion, Sentry Box Mtn. Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 40 minute drive via Numeralla. Around 13 km, main 6231 4535. height changes are: up 250 metres, down 350 metres before lunch, reverse in the afternoon. The drive crosses 30–31 August: Weekends in the southern private property for which we have permission. Maps: Namadgi #6 – Sentry Box Mountain – M/R Numeralla, Kybeyan. Leader: Linda Groom 6281 4917. Day 1: Naas car park, Boboyan Hill, Waterhole Hut, Transport: $100 per car. Limit: 10. Sheepstation Creek, Lutons Crutching Shed. Day 2: Early morning climb, and then down the Naas to the car park. Tuesday 5 August: Navigation Refresher #1 This trip is in conjunction with the Navigation Refresher An evening with map and compass at the home of Jenny #4 event. All welcome. Map: Yaouk. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield. 6231 4535. and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$50 per car.

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Bulletin board Tuesday 2 September: Navigation refresher #5 Burragorang, Yerranderie. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins, An introduction to GPS using Etrex (2000–2004) [email protected] 6248 0456. Transport: and Etrex 20 (~2008+) at the home of Jenny and Rob ~520 km return, ~$190 per car. Horsfield 6231 4535. 12–18 October: Binna Burra in the spring – Saturday 6 September: Day trips in the S/E–L/R Namadgi #6 – McKeahnie Trig–Kangaroo A week of day walks from Binna Burra Lodge, Creek – M/R Lamington National Park, Qld, based in your choice of From Smokers Gap, leave the Square Rock track on the catered cabin accommodation or self-catering furnished ridge out to the trig. Descend west then north to Kangaroo tents. See full description in March newsletter. Map: Creek. Car shuttle needed. Map: Corin Dam. Leaders: Hema Maps Lamington National Park. Leaders: Linda Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$32 Groom and Peter Conroy. Contact Linda to get a detailed per car. itinerary – [email protected] 6281 4917; please note that replies may be delayed during June and July as the Saturday 6 September 10 am-noon: Camping leaders will be doing extended walks. Limit: 32 for the equipment display full group; limited to CBC members and their partners; Experienced CBC members will demonstrate gear/ 21 places booked as at late May. Some of the harder equipment for overnight walks and answer your ques- day walks will have limits in the 8 to 12 range. Book tions. Venue: Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla (near Hyatt by late August. hotel). Contact: Cynthia Burton 0488 071 203 cynthia. [email protected] or John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected]. Bookings not required. Tuesday 9 September: Navigation refresher #6 An evening using GPS: Waypoints, Routes and Tracks with a short ramble. Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. 12, 13–14 September: Merriangaah Nature Reserve – M/R/part X Merriangaah NR is west of Bombala, at the junction of the McLaughlin & Snowy Rivers. See details May Bulletin Board it. Maps: Tombong, Bukalong. Leader: Linda Groom The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no [email protected] 6281 4917. Transport: $160 per cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal car. Limit: 8. Late bookings will be considered. bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, 20–21 September: Weekends in the southern the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if peo- Namadgi #7 – Shanahans Circuit – M/R ple participate in any activities advertised here, they Day 1 North from Shanahans Mtn along Booth Range do so as private individuals, not as members of the then down to Max & Bert’s Hut. Day 2: , Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. Horse Gully Hut, Shanahans Falls Creek, Shanahans Mtn. Maps: Michelago, Colinton. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Notices for the Bulletin board should be emailed Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$45 per car. to the Walks Secretary: walksec@canberra- bushwalkingclub.org Saturday, 27 September: Pine control in Priors Hut Area Peru, June–July 2015 A combined CBC/NPA work party at the old pine Huayhuash and Alpamayo Circuits and at least one arboretum, adjacent to Priors Hut, to locate/remove other multi-day trek. Expressions of interest to Linda pine seedlings, which have broken out in the area. Bring Groom [email protected], 6281 4917. handsaw, loppers and gloves. Meet at Kambah shops 8:15 am. Leader: Martin Chalk (NPA) 6292 3502. Wanted T-shirts Transport: 130 km, $52 per car. If you have any T-shirts that you no longer want, and preferably with logos on them, please can you give Saturday 4 October: Day trips in Namadgi #7 them to me, Janet Edstein? I am in a group of people – west of Fitzs Hill – sending them overseas to Africa. People seem to give M/R/W/X clothes to fit babies and young children and teenag- In a recent conversation with John we speculated ers are often left out. You may either bring them to as to the nature of this trip. A gorge perhaps? Map: the next CBC meeting or drop them off at my home Williamsdale. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 (contact me – [email protected] – for the 4535. Transport: ~$24 per car. address). This is a great chance to clean out your wardrobe and help others too. (10) 11–13 October: Axeheads and Vengeance Peninsula–Blue Mountains – M/R Gear for sale?– place an ad! Drive to Yerranderie on Friday afternoon for a 3-day If you have any old equipment walk. Day 1 from Yerranderie to Lacys Tableland via you no longer want, why not place Tonalli Pass. Day 2 Green Wattle Creek & Bulls Island an ad here to either sell or give it Creek. Day 3 Vengeance Peninsula Axehead Mountains away. Please include personal to Yerranderie. Expect magnificent spring wild flowers. contact details and asking Mostly off-track with some rock scrambling. Maps: price.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it June 2014 – page 15 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2013/14 Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been Hard copy it $50 $70 moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the Electronic it $20 $40 urge to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great photo shots that you would like to share. The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a Wednesday walks short paragraph about it/them. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate- leaders from the CBC, Brindabella Bushwalking rial is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome Club and National Parks Association (ACT). Details photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or about destination and meeting place are emailed to digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615 name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Alison Milton, Editor contribution to these walks.

If undeliverable return to PRINT POSTAGE GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 POST PAID PP 100018088 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP100018088 it

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

June 2014

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